free association

psychoanalysis

Freud's theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions

ego

largely conscious, "executive" part of personality that, according to Freud, mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality. The ego operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id's desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure rather than pain

regression

reaction formation

psychoanalytic defense mechanism by which the ego unconsciously switches unacceptable impulses into their opposites. Thus, ppl may express feelings that are the opposite of their anxiety-arousing unconscious feelings

rationalization

displacement

psychoanalytic defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person, as when redirecting anger toward a safer outlet, see sublimation

factor analysis

introversion

tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable, not necessarily loners, tend to have smaller circles of friends, have an easier time solving things inside their head than extroverts, does not describe social discomfort but rather social preference

personality inventory

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

most widely researched and clinically used of all personality tests. Originally developed to identify emotional disorders (still considered its most appropriate use), this test is now used for many other screening purposes

preconscious

sublimation

psychoanalytic defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person, as when redirecting anger toward a safer outlet, see displacement